What can the new OLED televisions and LCD TVs from LG do? The large overview from SamaGame reveals numbers, data and facts about OLED G4, C4 & Co.
Table of contents
- LG OLED B4: Affordable entry-level from 48 to 77 inches
- LG OLED C4: OLED evo for more brilliant images
- LG OLED G4: Best picture with light booster
- LG OLED M4: Eye-catcher with almost no cable
- LG OLED Z3: Not a new 8K TV
- Larger LCD TVs with QNED and Mini-LED
- webOS with Chromecast & longer updates
- LG TVs 2024: prices and availability
The manufacturer LG has achieved a leading market position with its OLED televisions over the last ten years. The wide model range includes one of the cheapest OLED TVs as well as one of the Top 5 TVs at all. This makes us curious about new devices: Can LG improve the image quality even further? Which model series and sizes are available? Do they offer useful new features? SamaGame has initial information about the new televisions and gives a large overview. Included are new LCD TVs. They offer the same smart features as the OLED TVs at cheaper entry-level prices and attract customers in the upper class with QLED and mini-LED technology in gigantic picture sizes.
LG OLED B4: Affordable entry-level from 48 to 77 inches
The cheapest OLED TVs will be the LG OLED B4 in the 2024 model year. Technically it is the same as its predecessor OLED B3 similar and already show all the advantages of OLED technology: perfect contrast, natural and clear colors with high viewing angle stability and clear representation of fast movements. The screens double the frame rate 100 Hertz, depending on the video source it is also 96 or 120 Hertz. This means that gamers get their money’s worth even with the cheapest model. Very good when you have several consoles and a gaming PC at the same time: With the OLED B4, all four HDMI inputs now process the 4K resolution with up to 120 Hertz including variable frame rates (HDMI 2.1 including Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium), so far only two inputs were able to do this on the cheaper models. Also new: While the B3 is only available from 55 inches upwards, LG offers the B4 from 48 inches with a diagonal of 121 centimeters. As before, 55, 65 and 77 inches are available, i.e. 140, 164 and 195 centimeter screen diagonals.
LG OLED C4: OLED evo for more brilliant images
The OLED C4 model series follows in the footsteps of the extremely successful OLED C3. Here LG uses a more powerful screen variant, LG calls it “OLED evo”. This allows a higher maximum brightness, especially in highlights. Films, series and video games with HDR (High Dynamic Range, larger dynamic range with more colors and contrast) benefit from this. With the C4, even the smallest versions of 42 and 48 inches (107 and 121 centimeters) now have the Evo screens. Compared to the B4, the C4 has a more powerful main processor. It not only promises a higher working speed and image processing that is refined in detail. It also enables new multi-view display with two contents at the same time and the playback of the UHD resolution with up to 144 Hertz – if a correspondingly powerful one Gaming PC is ready. LG offers the OLED C4 in six sizes: 42, 48, 55, 65, 77 and 83 inches. You won’t find such a wide selection of 107 to 210 centimeters on any other OLED television.
LG OLED G4: Best picture with light booster
The new top model will be the LG OLED G4 in the so-called gallery design. The entire television is just about the thickness of your thumb and can hang seamlessly on the wall thanks to the integrated bracket. The predecessor OLED G3 achieved the best test rating of all televisions to date at SamaGame. For the first time, an OLED screen with microlenses was used, which reduces scattering losses within the panel. The result: brighter images with the same energy requirement and an even larger viewing angle. The sister company LG Display speaks of OLED Meta for its top panels, while other TV manufacturers use the technical abbreviation MLA for this Mmicrolens Array, on the LG televisions the technology package consisting of Evo screen, microlenses and optimized control is called OLED Evo with Brightness Booster Max. With the new G4, LG promises an even higher maximum brightness, although this is limited to small highlights and only in a direct comparison should be visible. The same applies to higher color saturation and therefore less fading colors at highest brightness. The improved signal processing is also intended to reduce unsightly steps in color and brightness gradients (banding), which are often already present in the video material and become more noticeable as the image size and dynamics increase. The new Alpha 11 processor is responsible for this with four times higher performance and – of course – artificial intelligence. It also achieves feats such as displaying four video images at the same time. This is most worthwhile for the largest model. It measures 83 inches and is now also equipped with top screen technology; the G3 was only available up to 77 inches. In addition to these two XXL formats, 55 and 65 inches are also available.
LG OLED M4: Eye-catcher with almost no cable
The technology of the top model is also available in a wireless version: The LG OLED M4 only has a power cable and no other connections. They are in the separate zero-connect box, which can disappear on the shelf or in the cupboard along with the usual tangled cables. The latter shouldn’t just be made of metal, because the signal transmission between the connection box and the screen takes place via radio. Thanks to directed waves and high bandwidth, the full UHD resolution can be transmitted at up to 144 Hertz without loss and without noticeable delay (latency), according to the manufacturer. Like its predecessor M3, the OLED M4 is available in large formats of 97, 83 and 77 inches, and 65 inches are now also available. However, the fun will remain expensive; no cables will probably require at least 3,000 euros extra compared to the G4.
LG OLED Z3: Not a new 8K TV
8K TVs will remain a niche product in 2024. The advantages of the more homogeneous and finer images that can already be seen with good HD playback do not outweigh the disadvantages of the significantly higher prices and electricity costs. Therefore the 2023 model remains LG OLED Z3 without a successor in the program. This is still an excellent television (test rating 1.2), especially when it comes to the largest possible images from a very short distance, for example for presentations of videos and photos. Accordingly, LG only offers its 8K OLED TVs in impressive sizes: with 77 inches and 195 centimeters and with 88 inches and 223 centimeters screen size. The latter is only intended to be placed on the floor; a stylish aluminum frame is an integral part of the noble television. The prices are no less impressive: the LG OLED77Z3 currently costs from 11,000 euros, the OLED88Z3 even costs 25,000 euros.
Larger LCD TVs with QNED and Mini-LED
Cheaper TVs There are interesting variants of LCD technology from LG: so-called quantum dots are used for stronger colors. Other manufacturers talk about this technology QLED TVs, LG combines this with nanocell color filters and accordingly created the abbreviation QNED-TVs. The color rendering of previous models was actually close to that of the OLED TVs approach. The LG QNED80T model series with a super-thin design and flexibly mountable feet is planned as an entry into sophisticated LCD technology. It comes onto the market in six sizes: 43, 50, 55, 65, 75 and 86 inches (109 to 218 centimeters). The QNED85T has a doubled refresh rate of up to 120Hz and is therefore the better choice for sports fans and gamers. In addition, the same Alpha 8 processor is included here as in the cheapest OLED TV. Here, too, there are six sizes to choose from, although they are moved up one size from 50 to a gigantic 98 inches (248 centimeters). The LCD flagship will be the QN90T with so-called Mini LED screen. The LEDs installed in each LCD screen for illumination are particularly small, so that the television can adapt their brightness very precisely to the respective image areas. The backlight LEDs only shine at full brightness where the image actually requires it. The television dims them behind dark areas (“local dimming”) in order to improve the black display and thus the contrast. The QNED90T will be available in three popular sizes: 65, 75 and 86 inches.
webOS with Chromecast and longer updates
As operating system for his Smart TVs LG uses its own webOS. Just like Android TV, there are apps from all relevant streaming providers from Amazon Prime Video to Apple TV, Disney, and Netflix to Paramount and WOW. Your personal favorite apps can be clearly arranged in a row on the start screen, and application-specific folders (Quick Cards) for sports, music or gaming, for example, provide a clearer overview. What is new is the so-called mouse-over function: If the mouse pointer moves over one of the quick cards, suggestions with suitable content and functions automatically pop up to make the decision easier and faster. As is typical for LG, the “Magic Remote”, a remote control with a motion sensor, is used to control the mouse pointer. Voice control is also possible; after a short press on the microphone button, the television can guess what the question is and make appropriate suggestions. In order to display photos and videos from Apple mobile devices, AirPlay has long been part of the equipment on LG televisions, but now Chromecast has been added: Videos can be searched for in compatible apps on Android or Apple cell phones and sent to them at the start TV hand over. Miracast is on board for wireless connection to PCs. There is also good news on the subject of updates: LG has so far guaranteed bug fixes and security updates for seven to eight years after market launch. However, new operating system versions with expanded functionality were only ever available with new TV models. That should now change, the LG televisions 2024 should be able to be updated to the latest webOS versions for the next 5 years. The only exceptions are functions that require new hardware.
LG TVs 2024: prices and availability
The new LG televisions are expected to go on sale in March 2024. The exact dates vary depending on the model series and screen size. LG has not yet given any recommended prices; the prices of the previous models at the start of sales can serve as a rough guide. You can find an overview of LG televisions already tested by SamaGame here:
» LG television 2023 in the test
